Academics/Education

Education Exchanges

India and China signed Education Exchange Programme (EEP) in 2006, which is an umbrella agreement for educational cooperation between the two countries. Under this agreement, government scholarships are awarded to 25 students, by both sides, in recognized institutions of higher learning in each other’s country. The 25 scholarships awarded by India are offered by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). During the visit of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi to China, both the countries have signed fresh Education Exchange Programme (EEP) on May 15, 2015. The same provides for enhanced cooperation between institutions in the field of vocational education; collaboration between Institutes of higher learning, etc.

Apart from this, Chinese students are also awarded annual scholarships to study Hindi at the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra to learn Hindi. For the year 2015-16, 8 Chinese students have been selected under the scheme.

In 2010, it was decided to introduce Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in August 2012, between Central CBSE and Confucius Institute, where both signatories agreed to exchange academic staff, teachers and trainees as well as exchange information on the system and structure of teaching Mandarin Chinese as a second language in schools in India. As a part of this MoU, the first batch of 22 Chinese teachers is teaching in select CBSE schools for one year, since early 2014.

The cooperation in the education sector between the two sides has resulted in an increase in the number of Indian students in China. During the Academic Year 2014-15, there were 12998 Indian students studying in various Universities in China in various disciplines. Similarly, around 2000 Chinese students are studying in various educational institutions in India

HINDI CHAIR AT SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL STUDIES UNIVERSITY

University

About

MoU for Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Hindi Chair was signed between Indian Ambassador Dr. S. Jaishankar and Prof. Feng Qinghua, Vice President, Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) in October 2012 for setting up ICCR Hindi Chair at the University.

The Hindi Chair at SISU was set up with the objective to encourage not only learning of the language but also stimulate interest in Hindi literature among the Chinese students. The Hindi Chair also envisages a cultural bridge between two of the oldest civilizations to understand and appreciate each other better.

As per the understandings, ICCR deputed Hindi Chair at SISU Shanghai would have a tenure of two academic years. Since its establishment in 2013, SISU has been training Hindi language on a continuous basis as a part of their curriculum. As part of curriculum, the students also visit various places in India which are associated with Hindi learning. The Hindi language is increasingly becoming popular among the Chinese students.

During the visit of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to China, a MoU was signed between Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi and Fudan University in May 2015 about setting up of Center for Gandhian and Indian Studies at Fudan University, Shanghai. The objective of the Center is to focus on studies and research in Indian economy, politics and foreign policy, as well as Indian language, religion and culture, including studies related to Buddhism and historical contacts between India and China and Gandhi’s ideology and social practices.

The Center has a Governing Council to oversee its functions which includes a member each from ICCR, Consulate General of India Shanghai, Fudan University and the Director of the Center.

The Center holds other than international conference studies and research seminars and undertakes publication about matters related to Gandhian and Indian Studies.